June 21, 1996
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Newtel announced as a major corporate sponsor for 1997 Cabot Celebrations

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced in Bonavista that Newtel Enterprises will become a major corporate sponsor for the Cabot Celebrations' Year of the Arts 1997 event.

"NewTel Enterprises is one of between seven and 10 corporate sponsors being sought by the Cabot Celebrations Team to raise the $500,000 in revenue to supplement provincial funding of $5 million," Ms. Kelly said. NewTel Enterprises will be a major corporate sponsor of the Year of the Arts 1997 along with the Department of Canadian Heritage which has contributed $700,000 toward the event's total budget of $1.2 million.

Year of the Arts 1997 is administered by the Year of the Arts 1997 Committee of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council. Following a rigorous jury process, this province-wide package of events was chosen by the committee. The program is a 12-month celebration of our people, our culture and our heritage as expressed thorough the energies of Newfoundland and Labrador artists and artisans.

"Newtel Enterprises is a proud supporter of Newfoundland and Labrador's arts community," Vince Withers, president of Newtel Enterprises said. "Newtel views this sponsorship arrangement as an investment in Newfoundland and Labrador and its rich cultural heritage. At Newtel, we believe that tourism is an important and growing segment of this province's economy and one which deserves corporate support."

The Year of the Arts 1997 comprises 78 projects including: festivals, special creations, special events, workshops, travelling events, exhibits and collaborations by more than 1,300 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. All disciplines are represented including music, dance, visual, art, film, theatre and writing as well as a variety of multi-disciplinary activities ranging from the traditional to the experimental.

"NewTel Enterprises is contributing $75,000 in cash to the overall Cabot Celebrations corporate sponsorship requirement of $500,000," Ms. Kelly said. NewTel Enterprises also has been designated the official telecommunications supplier to the Cabot 500th Anniversary Celebrations in consideration of in-kind contributions which will help defray the operating costs of the celebrations and assist in event support.

In-kind contributions include: the official Cabot 500 Celebrations Internet Home Page; distribution of a special Cabot 500 Celebrations insert in the company's telephone directories; hosting of the national convention of the telephone pioneers; and the staging of a major international communication exhibit.

The Cabot 500 Celebrations Team and the Year of the Arts 1997 Committee of the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council are very proud to have the support of NewTel Enterprises which has a proud heritage and an exciting future in telecommunications products, services and technologies. NewTel Enterprises also has a distinguished record of providing productive community relations support throughout the province and to the arts community in particular. This support to the arts community will be highlighted by Newtel's outstanding contribution to the Cabot 500th Anniversary Celebrations.

The Newtel Group provides telecommunications and information technology services throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. The Newtel Group includes Newtel Communications, Newtel Information Solutions, Newtel Mobility, Paragon Information Systems, and Newtech Instruments.

Contact: Laura Cochrane, Public Relations Director, (709) 729-0928